Plans by Transport for London (TfL) to improve Elizabeth Line passenger safety at Ealing Broadway as well as its service have been welcomed by London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, Bassam Mahfouz.
At a London Assembly Transport Committee meeting last month (27 February 2025), Andy Lord, commissioner of TfL, told Mr Mahfouz that Network Rail and TfL are finalising a new feasibility study for the improvements.
Since opening in 2022, the Elizabeth Line has seen a number of passengers injured at Ealing Broadway due to a large step between platform and train which currently has a 30cm gap. Current recommended safety guidelines say all new platforms should not have a horizontal gap larger than 27.5cm or a vertical gap of more than 23cm but these regulations only apply to new stations which doesn’t include Ealing Broadway.
Earlier this year (January 2025), the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) appealed for witnesses after a passenger’s hand became trapped in the closing doors of an Elizabeth line train at Ealing Broadway Station in November 2024.
Mr Lord revealed that a feasibility study looking into changes that could be done for the platform is in progress and he will be talking to Network Rail by the end of March for an update.
As well as improvements on safety, Mr Lord told Mr Mahfouz about improvements for travellers going to Heathrow Airport.
The TfL boss said: “I think there is a great opportunity to put more services into the airport and more services into Terminal 5, which would then relieve pressure on [West Ealing, Hanwell, and Acton Main Line] stations that, even when they do get service as part of the timetable, are quite often busy as they have passengers going to and from Heathrow.”
The questions follow Mayor of London Question Time on 25 February 2025 in which Mr Mahfouz asked about the gap at Ealing Broadway Station.
He asked: “Can you provide an update on discussions with Network Rail regarding a timeline for implementing a permanent design solution?” which Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan replied: “As owner of the track and station at Ealing Broadway, Network Rail has completed outline feasibility work on track lowering. Network Rail is looking to include this in its next Control Period, commencing in April 2029, when the works can be scheduled as part of wider track renewal.”
Commenting on the TfL plans, Mr Mahfouz said: “Elizabeth Line passengers across Ealing will welcome these commitments from the TfL Commissioner to seek further interim measures to close the gap at Ealing Broadway station, plus his intention to increase services at West Ealing, Hanwell, and Acton Main Line.”
He added: “Alongside funding already agreed by Network Rail to renew the tracks and signalling of the western section of the Elizabeth Line, these improvements will make a huge difference to the UK’s favourite train line and for the lives of Ealing residents.”
 to improve Elizabeth Line passenger safety at Ealing Broadway as well as its service have been welcomed by London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, Bassam Mahfouz.){kind=link}